Waiting for justice
In Pademba the maximun security prison of sierra Leone are joung detainees awaiting trials and others serving sentences against the law. Sierra leone signed and ratified UN Convention for Child Rights which expressly prohibits imprisoning juvenile under 18 years. They are in jail because police and judicial system do not do their job well.
Deteinees don't receive legal assístance and there are many unfair cases.
The inmates are in overcrowded cells, many of them sleeping on the floor. Hygiene is non-existent, food and water are scarce, there is not water for washing except you buy it , also to use toilletes inmates need to pay. Juveniles suffer abuse, violence and sexual harrasment by adult prisoners.
The juveniles are released after long periods in prison without rehabilitation The lack of opportunities when they go out is directly related with recidivism rates.
In 2012 I founded the NGO Free Minor Africa to help juveniles in conflict with law in Sierra Leone , especially with the social reintegration.